As the world grapples with the pressing issues of climate change, it’s clearer than ever that sustainability is now an imperative for businesses. In fact, consumers demand it too. According to Harvard Business Research, sustainability will soon be considered a baseline requirement for purchase.
However, environmental sustainability nowadays means more than just thinking about physical waste. Businesses all around the world, including SMEs, must prioritise cutting their carbon footprint. One of the best ways to contribute to a greener future? Follow eco-friendly IT practices!
Here’s how technology can be a surprising driver of green change and what you can do to make your SME more energy-efficient.
Monitor your energy use
The first step towards becoming more environmentally friendly is routinely monitoring and measuring your energy usage. Remember that wasted energy is a major factor in increased emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases, which are among the main contributors to climate change. When you see how your energy is used, you can find alternatives with a lower environmental impact.
Think of the big picture, as well. Surprisingly, 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from real estate. Changing your office space or data centre can be one of the most powerful ways to increase your SME’s sustainability.
Choose energy-efficient hardware
Did you know that modern devices with top-tier energy ratings under the UK energy labelling scheme use 25–50% less energy than less efficient models? The hardware you choose for your SME makes a huge difference in your carbon footprint. If possible, upgrade your computers, servers, and peripherals to newer models, which are more efficient and can also save you significant money.
Did You Know
A study by Accenture found that globally, only 5–10% of SMEs have dedicated energy managers.
Dispose of your devices responsibly
The statistics are striking – e-waste is growing three times faster than the global population. As people are rushing to upgrade to the latest tech, devices that are still perfectly fine get pushed away. Unfortunately, this cycle of constant consumption has led to a significant surge in discarded electronics. Here are a couple of tips on how you can dispose of used devices in a more environmentally friendly way:
- Look for e-waste recycling facilities. Find the place closest to you.
- Establish a device reuse program. Instead of throwing out old electronic devices once they’re no longer needed in one department, reallocate them to another. This won’t just minimise your e-waste, but also help your organisation save money.
- Prioritise repair over replacement. If a device gets out of order, don’t immediately swap it for a new one. Sometimes, it’s enough to upgrade some parts (like RAM) instead of replacing the entire system.
- Remember to regularly clean your equipment – this will prevent it from overheating.
Encourage personal incentives
As an SME, you may not have the financial, human, and technological resources to hire dedicated sustainability officers. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint.
In businesses like yours, it’s best to encourage personal incentives. Even seemingly small actions, when combined, can make a huge impact on the environment. That’s why it’s important to motivate your team to take personal responsibility for making environmentally-conscious decisions. It may be as simple as turning off unused devices or unplugging chargers. Each step counts!
Use cloud computing
You may have heard about cloud computing as a great way to increase your business efficiency. But did you know it can also help the planet? As McKinsey & Company reports, cloud-powered technologies are critical in speeding up decarbonisation initiatives. With cloud computing, it’s no longer necessary for organisations to maintain large, energy-consuming data centres.
Moreover, as your team’s productivity grows, utilisation rates increase significantly, which lets you save more energy.
If you’re interested in cloud solutions for your company, check out our Cloud Data Platform.
Take advantage of server virtualisation
Another great way to increase sustainability in your tech operations is to leverage server virtualisation. As you may have heard, traditional server setups are known for their energy-hungry nature. When you have numerous physical servers, each with specific power and cooling requirements, your carbon footprint is inevitably high.
Implementing server virtualisation technologies, however, can significantly reduce CO2 emissions (some reports mention an impressive average of 63%). It also shows good results in cost savings!
Encourage remote work
In 2025, remote and hybrid work will remain popular throughout the UK, with nearly half of the workforce (44%) spending at least some time doing their tasks from home: The Employment Law Solicitors. It’s a major shift since pre-pandemic times! While it’s often discussed how remote work can improve employee mental and physical health, it’s less known for its positive effect on the environment.
According to a Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study, employees who worked from home had a 54% lower carbon footprint.
When fewer employees are commuting back and forth to work, carbon emissions are lower. Plus, it also reduces the need for physical resources!
Top Tip
Use power management settings across all company devices. Enabling sleep mode and screen dimming can significantly cut energy use without disrupting productivity.
The benefits of green IT practices
It certainly feels good to do your part for the planet. But including sustainable practices in your daily operations has other benefits, as well. When you choose energy-efficient hardware, server consolidation and opt for the cloud, your electricity bills will likely reduce.
Furthermore, in many areas, adopting green technologies may also make you eligible for government incentives.
Final thoughts
Nowadays, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into your business strategy is no longer an option. For your SME’s long-term success, it’s critical to think about ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
While implementing sustainable IT practices can be challenging for SMEs, with the right support, it’s entirely achievable. Whether you’re looking to move to the cloud, modernise your hardware, or streamline your infrastructure through virtualisation, we offer tailored IT Consulting and Project Services to support your journey.
Wish to learn more? Get in touch with our team today to learn more about our solutions.
